Isle of Wight

Isle of Wight's population grew in the 10 years leading up to the latest census. At the same time there were changes in religion, housing tenure and marriage.

The population reached nearly 140,000

Between the last two censuses, the population of Isle of Wight increased by 4.2%, from just under 133,000 to 138,000.

The addition of about 5,500 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Isle of Wight was home to, on average, 2.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was similar to the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Isle of Wight

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Isle of Wight increased by two years, from 44 to 46 years.

This coastal area had a higher average age than the South East and remained older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of almost 5,400 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 3,000.

About 15% of people in Isle of Wight are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Isle of Wight by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Isle of Wight

The percentage of Isle of Wight residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 89% to 88% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

The percentage who reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities remained close to 3.6%, while the percentage of Isle of Wight residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 7.2% to 7.4%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 91% in 2001 to 90% in 2011). Across England, the percentage remained close to 90%.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

Religion in Isle of Wight

The number of people in Isle of Wight that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 23,000 in 2001 to about 41,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 17% to 30% of the local population.

The percentage increased by more than the average across the South East (from 17% to 28%) and the average across England (from 15% to 25%).

The number of people in Isle of Wight that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 98,000 in 2001 to about 84,000 in 2011 (from 74% to 61%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation increased from about 10,000 to about 11,000 (from 7.9% to 8.2%).

About 910 people (0.5%) said they identified with a religion other than Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism or Sikhism, up from just under 600 in 2001 (0.7%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population without a religion in Isle of Wight increased by 12 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, South East and Isle of Wight by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Isle of Wight, but at a slower rate than in Portsmouth (the local authority area that shares the largest boundary with Isle of Wight).

In Isle of Wight, the proportion of private renting increased from 11% in 2001 to 17% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Portsmouth increased from 15% to 25%.

Across the South East, the share of privately rented homes increased from 10% to 16%.

The rate of social housing in Isle of Wight increased from 10.0% to 11%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 76% to 70%.

Private renting in Isle of Wight increased by 6.2 percentage points

Percentage of households in Isle of Wight, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

More single people in Isle of Wight

The percentage of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased here, but at a slower rate than in nearby Portsmouth.

In Isle of Wight, the proportion of single people increased from 24% in 2001 to 28% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in nearby Portsmouth increased from 36% to 44%.

Across the South East, the share of people who had never been married or in a civil partnership increased from 29% to 32%.

The proportion of married people in Isle of Wight fell from 53% to 48%, while the proportion of people who had divorced or separated from a marriage or civil partner increased from 12% to 14%.

The proportion of people who had never married or entered a civil partnership was lower than across the South East

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were single across local authority areas in the South East and the average across England, March 2011

↑ Back to the top

Area report data

Related links